Today was the big goal for me. I was planning for this stage, I had it in my mind. | Forum

OAKLAND, Calif. Kareem Hunt Youth Jersey . -- The Kevin Durant era tips off for the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night against an opponent, the San Antonio Spurs, that both Durant and the Warriors would consider unfriendly.After signing a two-year, $54.3 million deal to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder in the offseason, Durant is expected to take his place alongside holdover Warriors standouts Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in the nightcap of TNTs opening-night doubleheader (10:30 p.m. ET).And he will do so against a Spurs team that also will sport a new look this season -- albeit one with a key piece missing.In its quest to unseat Golden State as the two-time Western Conference champs, San Antonio will go forward without future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, who retired in July after his 19th season.Before concluding the addition of Durant and the subtraction of Duncan tilts the balance significantly in the Warriors favor, consider this: The last four times the Spurs played Golden State without their star big man, they won two of them.The Spurs went after Durant in free agency, then settled for Pau Gasol, who is primed to join a star-studded collection of talent himself. San Antonio returns Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard from a team that won 67 games last season.I wouldnt think of ourselves as the guinea pig, Gasol said Monday when asked if the Spurs saw themselves as a test experiment for Golden States new concoction. We have an incredible team here with a lot of talent and a lot of experience. Its going to be an interesting, challenging first game.The Warriors feel the same way, and with good reason.Even after winning the season series 3-1 last season, Golden State has prevailed just six times in its past 30 regular-season meetings with the Spurs.Meanwhile, halfway across the country, Durant was having similar struggles with his Southwest Division rival. His 25.8-point career scoring average against the Spurs is lower than his mark all teams except the Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers.The Warriors will take the court fully aware the NBA hasnt scheduled a coming-out party for Durant on opening night.Itll be a really good atmosphere, obviously, and Im sure there will be a very high level of play on both ends, Curry said. Itll take a lot to get a win.The Warriors did more tinkering to their record-breaking, 73-win team than adding Durant. They even plucked one of the Spurs -- David West -- with a team-friendly, $1.6 million offer that was similar to the one ($1.5 million) that lured the veteran away from the Indiana Pacers for a shot at a title in San Antonio last season.That didnt work out as planned, as West contributed only a career-worst average of 4.0 rebounds and his lowest scoring output in 10 years (7.1 points per game) to the Spurs quest.So now, instead of backing up Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge as he did a year ago, he will team with Zaza Pachulia in replacing Andrew Bogut in Golden States bid for a second championship in three seasons. Tanoh Kpassagnon Chiefs Jersey . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Tanoh Kpassagnon Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. http:///...-Jersey.html?cat=926 . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. BAIONA, Spain -- Belgiums Gianni Meersman beat a pack of sprinters to claim the Spanish Vueltas second stage on Sunday for his first win at a grand tour.The 30-year-old Meersman was launched by his Etixx-Quick Step team in the final meters and stayed in front of a huge group to win the relatively flat 160.8-kilometer (99.9-mile) ride from Ourense to Baiona in 4 hours, 16 minutes, 39 seconds.Polands Michal Kwiatkowski took the leaders red jersey from Sky teammate Peter Kennaugh for Mondays mountain stage.Chris Froome, also of Sky, and Movistar rivals Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde remained on the same time with Kwiatkowski.Three-time Vuelta winner Alberto Contador stayed 52 seconds back after his Tinkoff team struggled through the opening stages time trial, which was won bby Sky. Patrick Mahomes II Jersey. eersman said that he told his wife and family to be sure to watch Sundays stage on television because his team had selected it for him to go for the win.She was crying and they were yelling at the TV, Meersman said after talking to his wife by telephone. Today was the big goal for me. I was planning for this stage, I had it in my mind. I was so many times second and third, but my team really trusted me.On Monday, riders face a 170-kilometer (105.6-mile) route along the Atlantic coast starting in Marin. A flat first half is followed by three climbs finishing at the Mirador de Ezaro summit.The 21-stage race ends in Madrid on Sept. 11. Cheap NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap Jerseys From ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys AuthenticWholesale Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaNFL Cheap Jerseys' ' '